According to police, the motorcycle was traveling south on Del Prado Boulevard, approaching the area of Coral Lakes. The van was northbound on Del Prado Boulevard and entered into the turn lane to turn west into the community.

Reeves told police there were no lights/vehicles approaching the intersection and he began to turn. He said that the motorcycle "then appeared in front of his headlights" and the front of van struck the left side of motorcycle. Giel was ejected from the bike, struck the roadway and then the curb with his head before landing on the front lawn of Coral Lakes.

Giel was pronounced dead by responding emergency personnel with the Cape Coral Fire Department and Lee County EMS.